Of Growth in Grace, Title page – Dedication
A TREATISE OF Growth in Grace, IN SUNDRY SERMONS: Preached by that lately eminent Servant of JESUS CHRIST, SAMUEL SLATER, late of St. KATHERINES near the TOWER.
Psal. 92. 12, 13, 14. The righteous shall flourish like the Palm tree; he shall grow like a Cedar in Libanon, &c.
Hosea 14. 5. I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the Lilly, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
Heb. 13. 7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
London, Printed for R. Boulter, at the Turks Head in Cornhil, over againgst the Royal Exchange, 1671.
To the Reader.
READER,
THE Subject of this Book is Growth in Grace, a noble Subject, yea the most noble; for what is more excellent and desirable than Grace, and Growth in it? Thereby our Election, likeness unto God, union with Christ, inhabitation of the Spirit, ripeness and readiness for Glory, are clearly evidenced unto us. This is therefore the principal Argument wherewith a gracious Soul should be taken, and lay out the principallest of its time and strength in getting thereof, and growing therein: It argues ignobleness of spirit to set any limit or measure to Grace and Holiness, shorter than what the Spirit of God it self hath set, viz. The measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; whoso doth it, blunts the edge of desires and endeavours, and will sit down content with one grain of Grace. The Reverend, laborious and judicious Preacher of these Sermons, whose Growth in Grace was well known, would have you, not only gracious, but eminently gracious, Cedars, not shrubs, which will tend to your greater advantage than can be express'd: Be pleased therefore to read, and seriously consider, what is herein tendred unto you, and you will find your hearts so warm'd thereby, that you will be of the Authors mind, concerning the great Duty of growing in Grace; which that you may be, and so do, is the Prayer of him who desires your Perfection.